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11.03.2008

change in the north.

When the $660 million Aliante Station resort and casino opens in North Las Vegas next Tuesday, it will redefine the idea of dining out in the northwest part of Vegas. Actually, it doesn't need to redefine, because I'm probably the only person who maintains there is worthwhile dining in the area.

Well, there is. The big Centennial Center shopping area boasts the formidable Sushi Loca and is about to get decent Mexican and Indian eateries. Vega's Cafe is a reliable family Mexican restaurant. The best experience in the area is the Charcoal Room, the steakhouse at the Santa Fe Station.

But Aliante Station, the newest from the Station Casinos company that also includes the posh Red Rock Resort in Summerlin, is officially in North Las Vegas, specifically in the master planned community of Aliante. It's sort of a mini-Red Rock in a mini-Summerlin. NLV folks are pretty excited about it, but the restaurants will be the biggest highlight. The lineup includes:

MRKT, a steak and seafood spot from Station. As they've done at Charcoal Room and Red Rock's T-Bones Chophouse, the Station guys will no doubt prove they know how to operate a steakhouse.

TGI Friday's. They can't all be winners.

Camacho's Cantina, a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar from a family of restaurateurs based in Southern California. The most popular location is at Universal Studios.

Original Pancake House, which serves great breakfast all over Vegas, including one at Green Valley Ranch, another Station Casino.

Pip's Cucina, an Italian restaurant and wine bar notable because it's the first restaurant endeavor from Rino Armeni, the former head of Southern Nevada Wine & Spirits and an ex-Caesars Palace food and bev honcho.

A food court with Capriotti's, Villa pizza, Rubio's, Panda Express, and Johnny Rockets burgers.

Trying out these restaurants -- particularly the non-Station ones -- and imbibing at the hopefully cool bars littered around the new casino will keep me busy for a while, and I'm not the only one. But even if Aliante Station doesn't find the success of a place like Red Rock (and it won't, not in this economy), it will definitely set a new standard for eating out in North Las Vegas. It already has, and it's not open yet.

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